Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2018 > October 2018 Decisions > G.R. No. 200258, October 03, 2018 - PHILIPPINE HAMMONIA SHIP AGENCY, NARCISSUS L. DURAN, DORCHESTER MARITIME LIMITED, Petitioners, v. FERDINAND Z. ISRAEL, Respondent.:




G.R. No. 200258, October 03, 2018 - PHILIPPINE HAMMONIA SHIP AGENCY, NARCISSUS L. DURAN, DORCHESTER MARITIME LIMITED, Petitioners, v. FERDINAND Z. ISRAEL, Respondent.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 200258, October 03, 2018

PHILIPPINE HAMMONIA SHIP AGENCY, NARCISSUS L. DURAN, DORCHESTER MARITIME LIMITED, Petitioners, v. FERDINAND Z. ISRAEL, Respondent.

D E C I S I O N

LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, C.J.:

Assailed in this Petition for Review on Certiorari filed by petitioners Philippine Hammonia Ship Agency (PHSA), Narcissus L. Duran (Duran) and Dorchester Maritime Limited (DML) are: (1) the Decision1 dated June 30, 2011 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 111835, which affirmed the Decision2 dated April 27, 2009 and Resolution3 dated October 6, 2009 of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) in NLRC LAC Case No. 04-000311-08; and (2) the Resolution4 dated January 17, 2012 of the appellate court in the same case, which denied the Motion for Reconsideration of petitioners.

The factual antecedents of the case are as follows:

Petitioner PHSA, the local manning agent, on behalf of petitioner DML, the foreign principal, hired respondent Ferdinand Z. Israel as a Bosun on board the vessel NASR. Dr. Leticia C. Abesamis of ClinicoMed, Inc. conducted the pre-employment medical examination (PEME) of respondent, and declared him "FIT FOR SEA SERVICE" on June 7, 2005.5 The next day, June 8, 2005; respondent and Capt. Vicente A. Dayo, as representative of petitioner PHSA, signed the Contract of Employment,6 with the following terms and conditions:

Duration of Contract:
Position:
Basic Monthly Salary:
Hours of Work:
Overtime:
Vacation Leave w/ Pay
Point of Hire:
09 months
BOSUN
$670.00 per month
44 Hrs./Wk.
$373.00/MO. OT: 4.39/Hr. after 85 Hrs.
$201.00/MO.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) verified and approved respondent's Contract of Employment on June 10, 2005. On June 13, 2005, respondent boarded vessel NASR.7

While performing his duties on board vessel NASR, respondent accidentally fell from a height of 2 to 2.5 meters while he was conducting an inspection of the crew's maintenance work. Respondent's right arm and shoulder hit the deck first, absorbing the impact of his fall. Because of the persistent pain on his right shoulder, respondent was brought to the Orthopedic Department of Cedars-Jebel Ali International Hospital in Dubai where respondent was examined by Dr. Bahaa Khair El-Din (El-Din). Dr. El-Din diagnosed respondent with "supraspinatus tendonitis right shoulder," and recommended his repatriation.8

On September 11, 2005, respondent was repatriated to the Philippines. Respondent reported to petitioner PHSA, which referred him to company doctors Dr. Robert Lim (Lim) and Dr. Mylene Cruz-Balbon (Cruz-Balbon) of Marine Medical Services at the Metropolitan Medical Center. Upon the company doctors' advice, respondent underwent an x-ray examination on September 13, 2005, and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on October 3, 2005 of his right shoulder.9 The x-ray examination did not show any bone or joint abnormality, but the MRl revealed that respondent had "1. Severe osteoarthritis of the right AC joint x x x, and 2. Mild supraspinatus tendonitis/tendinopathy."10

Since respondent lives in Misamis Oriental, Dr. Lim referred him to Dr. Grace Cid (Cid) of Polymedic Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City. After a clinical evaluation, Dr. Cid diagnosed respondent with "Rotator Cuff Tear with Adhesive Capsulitis" for which respondent underwent physical therapy sessions from September 27, 2005 to January 28, 2006. Despite a remarkable improvement in the movement of respondent's right shoulder, Dr. Cid remarked that respondent continued to feel pain on his right shoulder. Dr. Cid then referred respondent back to Dr. Lim for final disposition on January 28, 2006.11

On January 31, 2006, Dr. Cruz-Balbon declared respondent "Fit to Resume Sea Duties."12 However, petitioner PHSA refused to re-employ respondent because of his condition, or to pay him disability benefits.

On June 7, 2007, respondent filed a Complaint13 against petitioners for disability compensation, moral and exemplary damages, and attorney's fees, which was docketed as NLRC NCR OFW No. 06-05669-07.

Respondent's Arguments

Respondent alleged that he continues to suffer pain on his right shoulder everytime he raises his right arm, making it difficult for him to perform simple tasks such as putting on or taking off his shirt. That despite the physical therapy sessions and improvement in his right shoulder, the pain on his right shoulder was not cured.14

Two physicians, whom respondent visited for a medical consultation and examination, confirmed that respondent is still suffering from an injury. Dr. Jose S. Pujalte, Jr. (Pujalte) of Cardinal Santos Medical Center, who wrote his findings on a medical prescription pad on July 3, 2007, stated that respondent has "impingement of the rotator cuff, [right] secondary to acromio-clavicular arthritis," which can be treated by an Acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair. Also, Dr. Renato B. Punas (Punas) issued a Medical Certificate dated September 7, 2007, declaring respondent "Unfit for Seaman duty" as he was suffering from "Severe Arthritis, Acromioclavicular joint, Right, Supraspinatus Tendinopathy, Shoulder Impingement secondary to Type I Acromion." Dr. Punas further commented that respondent's capacity to work is reduced by as much as 60%, which in effect prevents respondent from working as a seaman permanently.15

Respondent asserted that his disability is total and permanent as no manning agency or vessel owner would consider him for overseas employment because of the condition of his right shoulder, which is the same reason why petitioners refused to re-engage respondent's services. Respondent claimed that he should be compensated with disability benefits in the amount of US$60,000.00 pursuant to the POEA standard employment contract (POEA-SEC).16

Respondent alleged that petitioners must be directed to pay him moral and exemplary damages. The award of moral damages is for the bad faith that petitioners exhibited in certifying that respondent is fit to work but refusing to re-employ him as a seafarer, for the physical suffering, mental anguish, and anxiety that respondent and his family suffered, and for the unjust refusal on the part of petitioners to satisfy respondent's reasonable demands. The award of exemplary damages is by way of example to deter other employers from committing the same inequitable acts against their employees. Respondent also averred that he was forced to litigate and that he incurred expenses to protect his rights, which entitles him to an award of attorney's fees.17

Petitioners' Arguments

Petitioners argued that, in case of conflicting medical findings between the company-designated physicians, on one hand, and the doctors of choice of the seafarer, on the other hand, the company-designated physicians' assessment should prevail because the POEA-SEC specifically designated the company-designated physician as the person who must determine the seafarer's fitness or degree of disability, and Dr. Lim and Dr. Cruz-Balbon, as company-designated physicians, were the ones who actually monitored and treated respondent's shoulder injury from his repatriation on September 11, 2005 until he was declared fit to work.

Additionally, respondent executed a Certificate of Fitness to Work dated January 31, 2006 wherein he waived any benefits and released petitioners from my liability arising from the Contract of Employment. Thus, respondent is barred from claiming disability benefits from petitioners.18

Petitioner Duran alleged he cannot be held personally liable as he merely acted in his corporate capacity without malice or bad faith. Finally, petitioners contend that respondent's claim for disability benefits are unfounded, thus, there is no reason to award him with moral and exemplary damages, and attorney's fees.19

The Labor Arbiter's Ruling

After the exchange of position papers and other pleadings, Labor Arbiter Melquiades Sol D. Del Rosario rendered a Decision20 on February 28, 2008, upholding the medical analysis of Dr. Pujalte and Dr. Punas that respondent did not fully recover from his shoulder injury, inhibiting him to work as a seaman permanently. Additionally, respondent's disability has become permanent and total since he was not able to perform his usual work for more than 120 days from repatriation, entitling respondent to full disability benefits. The Labor Arbiter also found petitioners liable to pay respondent attorney's fees. The dispositive portion of the Labor Arbiter's Decision reads:

CONFORMABLY WITH THE FOREGOING, judgment is hereby rendered declaring [respondent] entitled to his disability benefits amounting to USD60,000.00 payable in peso equivalent at the time of payment plus 2% thereof as attorney's fees.21

The Ruling of the NLRC

Petitioners appealed to the NLRC, which rendered a Decision on April 27, 2009, dismissing the appeal of petitioners and affirming the Labor Arbiter's Decision. Petitioners filed a Motion for Reconsideration, which the NLRC denied in a Resolution dated October 6, 2009.

The Ruling of the Court of Appeals

Petitioners sought remedy from the Court of Appeals through a Petition for Certiorari With Urgent Prayer For The Issuance Of A Writ Of Preliminary Injunction And/Or Temporary Restraining Order. Petitioners assert that the NLRC acted with grave abuse of discretion in finding that respondent's disability is permanent and total for the following reasons, to wit: 1) the ruling of the NLRC is inconsistent with the company-designated physician's certification that respondent is fit work, and the Certificate of Fitness To Work, which respondent executed; 2) the NLRC erred in applying the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines and not the provisions of the POEA-SEC; and 3) the NLRC disregarded the more recent pronouncement of the Court in Vergara v. Hammonia Maritime Services, Inc.22 (Vergara), which modified the application of the 120-day ruling in Crystal Shipping, Inc. v. Natividad,23(Crystal Shipping). Petitioners further alleged that the award of attorney's fees in favor of respondent have no basis in fact and in law.

On June 30, 2011, the Court of Appeals rendered the assailed Decision, denying the Petition for Certiorari, the dispositive portion of which reads:

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the instant petition is hereby DENIED for lack of merit. Accordingly, the assailed Decision and Resolution of public respondent National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) dated April 27, 2009 and October 6, 2009, respectively, are AFFIRMED.24

The Ruling of the Court

Hence, petitioners filed the instant Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure, based on the following grounds:

A. Respondent is not entitled to disability benefits because he was already declared fit to work by the company designated physician which he himself acknowledged by executing a "certificate of fitness for work."

B. Respondent is not entitled to disability benefits on the ground that he has been unable to work for more than 120-days. Payment of disability compensation is a contractual obligation that arises only upon fulfillment of the requirements for it, to wit: a) disability of seafarer caused by a work-related illness or injury; and b) which work-related illness or injury was contracted or sustained during the term of his contract. In the instant case, no disability was sustained, as Respondent was declared Fit to Work. Hence, he is not entitled to disability compensation.

C. The POEA-contract does not state at all that seafarer is entitled to maximum disability compensation in the event that he is unable to work for more than 120-days. The POEA-contract is clear that disability compensation is based only on the schedule of Disability provided under the said contract and not on the number of days seafarer has been unable to work.25

A careful examination of the present Petition reveals that it contains the same arguments raised by petitioners in their Petition for Certiorari filed before the Court of Appeals. Petitioners maintain that respondent is not suffering from any illness or injury since he was declared fit to work by the company-designated physician on January 31, 2006, which respondent acknowledged by executing a Certificate of Fitness to Work. Petitioners assert that, under the POEA-SEC, it is the company-designated physician who must determine the seafarer's disability rating or fitness to work. Likewise, the assessment of the company-designated physicians, Dr. Lim and Dr. Cruz-Balbon, who actually examined and monitored the progress of respondent's treatment should be given more probative weight and credence than the findings of respondent's doctors of choice, Dr. Pujalte and Dr. Punas.

Petitioners reiterate that the Court of Appeals erred in declaring that respondent is entitled to full disability benefits since his medical treatment exceeded 120 days. Citing Vergara, petitioners assert that the 120 day medical treatment of a seafarer may now be extended to 240 days, and only upon the lapse of the 240 day period may a seafarer be considered totally and permanently unfit. Considering that the company-designated physician certified that respondent is fit to work within the 240-day treatment period, it cannot be said that respondent's disability is total and permanent.

Petitioners likewise restate that their refusal to pay respondent's claims for disability benefit was pursuant to the company-designated physician's certification that respondent is already fit to work. In the absence of malice or bad faith on their part, the award of attorney's fees in favor of respondent is improper.

The petition is not meritorious.

Article 198(c)(1) [formerly Article 192(c)(1)] of Presidential Decree No. 442 of 1974, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines, as Amended and Renumbered,26 defines permanent and total disability as follows:

Article 198. Permanent Total Disability. � x x x

x x x x

(c) The following disabilities shall be deemed total and permanent:

(1) Temporary total disability lasting continuously for more than one hundred twenty days, except as otherwise provided for in the Rules[.]

In conjunction with the above article, the Amended Rules on Employees' Compensation, which was adopted to implement the provisions of Title II, Book IV of the Labor Code, provides:

RULE VII
Benefits

x x x x

Section 2. Disability � x x x

(b) A disability is total and permanent if as a result of the injury or sickness the employee is unable to perform any gainful occupation for a continuous period exceeding 120 days, except as otherwise provided for in Rule X of these Rules.

x x x x

RULE X
Temporary Total Disability

x x x x

Section 2. Period of Entitlement. - (a) The income benefit shall be paid beginning on the first day of such disability. If caused by an injury or sickness it shall not be paid longer than 120 consecutive days except where such injury or sickness still requires medical attendance beyond 120 days but not to exceed 240 days from onset of disability in which case benefit for temporary total disability shall be paid. However, the System may declare the total and permanent status at any time after 120 days of continuous temporary total disability as may be warranted by the degree of actual loss or impairment of physical or mental functions as determined by the System.

The interpretation and application of the afore-quoted provisions by the Court have changed and developed through the years. In Marlow Navigation Philippines, Inc. v. Osias,27 the Court summarized jurisprudence on the 120-day and 240-day rules as regards the permanent total disability of a seafarer, thus:

Laws and jurisprudence
relating to the 120-day
and 240-day rul
e

As early as 1972, the Court has defined the term permanent and total disability in the case of Marcelino v. Seven-Up Bottling Co. of the Phil. in this wise: "[p]ermanent total disability means disablement of an employee to earn wages in the same kind of work, or work of similar nature that he was trained for, or accustomed to perform, or any other kind of work which a person of his mentality and attainments could do."

The present controversy involves the permanent and total disability claim of a specific type of laborer a seafarer. The substantial rise in the demand for seafarers in the international labor market led to an increase of labor standards and relations issues, including claims for permanent and total disability benefits. To elucidate on the subject, particularly on the propriety and timeliness of a seafarer's entitlement to permanent and total disability benefits, a review of the relevant laws and recent jurisprudence is in order.

Article 192(c)(1) of the Labor Code, which defines permanent and total disability of laborers, provides that:

x x x x

The rule referred to is Rule X, Section 2 of the Amended Rules on Employees' Compensation, implementing Book IV of the Labor Code (IRR), which states:

x x x x

These provisions should be read in relation to the 2000 Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Standard Employment Contract (POEA-SEC) whose Section 20 (B)(3) states:

Upon sign-off from the vessel for medical treatment, the seafarer is entitled to sickness allowance equivalent to his basic wage until he is declared fit to work or the degree of permanent disability has been assessed by the company-designated physician but in no case shall this period exceed one hundred twenty (120) days. x x x.

In Crystal Shipping, Inc. v. Natividad, (Crystal Shipping) the Court ruled that "[p]ermanent disability is the inability of a worker to perform his job for more than 120 days, regardless of whether or not he loses the use of any part of his body." Thereafter, litigant-seafarers started citing Crystal Shipping to demand permanent and total disability benefits simply because they were incapacitated to work for more than 120 days.

The Court in Vergara v. Hammonia Maritime Services, Inc. (Vergara), however, noted that the doctrine expressed in Crystal Shipping � that inability to perform customary work for more than 120 days constitutes permanent total disability � should not be applied in all situations. The specific context of the application should be considered in light of the application of all rulings, laws and implementing regulations. It was provided therein that:

As these provisions operate, the seafarer, upon sign-off from his vessel, must report to the company-designated physician within three (3) days from arrival for diagnosis and, treatment For the duration of the treatment but in no case to exceed 120 days, the seaman is on temporary total disability as he is totally unable to work. He receives his basic wage during this period until he is declared fit to work or his temporary disability is acknowledged by the company to be permanent, either partially or totally, as his condition is defined under the POEA Standard Employment Contract and by applicable Philippine laws. If the 120 days initial period is exceeded and no such declaration is made because the seafarer requires further medical attention, then the temporary total disability period may be extended up to a maximum of 240 days, subject to the right of the employer to declare within this period that a permanent partial or total disability already exists. The seaman may of course also be declared fit to work at any time such declaration is justified by his medical condition. x x x.

In effect, by considering the law, the POEA-SEC, and especially the IRR, Vergara extended the period within which the company-designated physician could declare a seafarer's fitness or disability to 240 days. Moreover, in that case, the disability grading provided by the company-designated physician was given more weight compared to the mere incapacity of the seafarer therein for a period of more than 120 days.

The apparent conflict between the 120-day period under Crystal Shipping and the 240-day period under Vergara was observed in the case of Kestrel Shipping Co., Inc. v. Munar (Kestrel). In the said case, the Court recognized that Vergara presented a restraint against the indiscriminate reliance on Crystal Shipping. A seafarer's inability to work despite the lapse of 120 days would not automatically bring about a total and permanent disability, considering that the treatment of the company-designated physician may be extended up to a maximum of 240 days. In Kestrel, however, as the complaint was filed two years before the Court promulgated Vergara on October 6, 2008, then the seafarer therein was not stripped of his cause of action.

To further clarify the conflict between Crystal Shipping and Vergara, the Court in Montierro v. Rickmers Marine Agency Phils., Inc. stated that ''[i]f the maritime compensation complaint was filed prior to October 6, 2008, the 120-day rule applies; if, on the other hand, the complaint was filed from October 6, 2008 onwards, the 240-day rule applies."

Then came Carcedo v. Maine Marine Phils., Inc. (Carcedo). Although the said case recognized the 240-day rule in Vergara, it was pronounced therein that "[t]he determination of the fitness of a seafarer for sea duty is the province of the company-designated physician, subject to the periods prescribed by law." Carcedo further emphasized that "[t]he company-designated physician is expected to arrive at a definite assessment of the seafarer's fitness to work or permanent disability within the period of 120 or 240 days. That should he fail to do so and the seafarer's medical condition remains unresolved, the seafarer shall be deemed totally and permanently disabled."

Finally, in Elburg Shipmanagement Phils., Inc. v. Quiogue, Jr. (Elburg), it was affirmed that the Crystal Shipping doctrine was not binding because a seafarer's disability should not be simply determined by the number of days that he could not work. Nevertheless, the pronouncement in Carcedo was reiterated � that the determination of the fitness of a seafarer by the company-designated physician should be subject to the periods prescribed by law. Elburg provided a summation of periods when the company-designated physician must assess the seafarer, to wit:

  1. The company-designated physician must issue a final medical assessment on the seafarer's disability grading within a period of 120 days from the time the seafarer reported to him;

  2. If the company-designated physician fails to give his assessment within the period of 120 days, without any justifiable reason, then the seafarer's disability becomes permanent and total;

  3. If the company-designated physician fails to give his assessment within the period of 120 days with a sufficient justification (e.g., seafarer required further medical treatment or seafarer was uncooperative), then the period of diagnosis and treatment shall be extended to 240 days. The employer has the burden to prove that the company� designated physician has sufficient justification to extend the period; and

  4. If the company-designated physician still fails to give his assessment within the extended period of 240 days, then the seafarer's disability becomes permanent and total, regardless of any justification.

In essence, the Court in Elburg no longer agreed that the 240-day period provided by Vergara, which was sourced from the IRR, should be an absolute rule. The company-designated physician would still be obligated to assess the seafarer within the original 120-day period from the date of medical repatriation and only with sufficient justification may the company-designated physician be allowed to extend the period of medical treatment to 240 days. The Court reasoned that:

Certainly, the company-designated physician must perform some significant act before he can invoke the exceptional 240-day period under the IRR. It is only fitting that the company-designated physician must provide a sufficient justification to extend the original 120-day period. Otherwise, under the law, the seafarer must be granted the relief of permanent and total disability benefits due to such non-compliance.

On the contrary, if we completely ignore the general 120-day period under the Labor Code and POEA-Contract and apply the exceptional 240-day period under the IRR unconditionally, then the IRR becomes absolute and it will render the law forever inoperable. Such interpretation is contrary to the tenets of statutory construction.

x x x x

Thus, to strike a balance between the two conflicting interests of the seafarer and its employer, the rules methodically took into consideration the applicability of both the 120-day period under the Labor Code and the 240-day period under the IRR. The medical assessment of the company-designated physician is not the alpha and the omega of the seafarer's claim for permanent and total disability. To become effective, such assessment must be issued within the bounds of the authorized 120-day period or the properly extended 240-day period.

Hence; as it stands, the current rule provides: (1) that mere inability to work for a period of 120 days does not entitle a seafarer to permanent and total disability benefits; (2) that the determination of the fitness of a seafarer for sea duty is within the province of the company-designated physician, subject to the periods prescribed by law; (3) that the company-designated physician has an initial 120 days to determine the fitness or disability of the seafarer; and (4) that the period of treatment may only be extended to 240 days if a sufficient justification exists such as when further medical treatment is required or when the seafarer is uncooperative.

For as long as the 120-day period under the Labor Code and the POEA-SEC and the 240-day period under the IRR co-exist, the Court must bend over backwards to harmoniously interpret and give life to both of the stated periods. Ultimately, the intent of our labor laws and regulations is to strive for social justice over the diverging interests of the employer and the employee.28 (Citations omitted.)

Respondent, in this case, filed his Complaint before the NLRC on June 7, 2007, prior to October 6, 2008; therefore, the 120-day rule in Crystal Shipping v. Natividad29 applies herein. The Court reiterates below the pertinent ruling in Crystal Shipping:

Permanent disability is the inability of a worker to perform his job for more than 120 days, regardless of whether or not he loses the use of any part of his body. As gleaned from the records, respondent was unable to work from August 18, 1998 to February 22, 1999, at the least, or more than 120 days, due to his medical treatment. This clearly shows that his disability was permanent.

Total disability, on the other hand, means the disablement of an employee to earn wages in the same kind of work of similar nature that he was trained for, or accustomed to perform, or any kind of work which a person of his mentality and attainments could do. It does not mean absolute helplessness. In disability compensation, it is not the injury which is compensated, but rather it is the incapacity to work resulting in the impairment of one's earning capacity.

Although the company-designated doctors and respondent's physician differ in their assessments of the degree of respondent's disability, both found that respondent was unfit for sea-duty due to respondent's need for regular medical check-ups and treatment which would not be available if he were at sea. There is no question in our mind that respondent's disability was total.

Petitioners tried to contest the above findings by showing that respondent was able to work again as a chief mate in March 2001. Nonetheless, this information does not alter the fact that as a result of his illness, respondent was unable to work as a chief mate for almost three years. It is of no consequence that respondent was cured after a couple of years. The law does not require that the illness should be incurable. What is important is that he was unable to perform his customary work for more than 120 days which constitutes permanent total disability. An award of a total and permanent disability benefit would be germane to the purpose of the benefit, which is to help the employee in making ends meet at the time when he is unable to work. (Emphases supplied, citations omitted.)

It is undisputed that respondent suffered his injury during the term of his Contract of Employment and in the performance of his duties as bosun on board vessel NASR after he slipped and fell from a height of 2 to 2.5 meters while conducting an inspection of the crew's maintenance work on the vessel. Respondent was medically repatriated on September 11, 2005, and records show that respondent immediately reported to the office of petitioner PHSAI, which referred him to company doctors, Dr. Lim and Dr. Cruz-Balbon at the Metropolitan Medical Center. Respondent underwent an MRI which yielded a finding that he is suffering from "1. Severe osteoarthritis of the right AC joint x x x, and 2. Mild supraspinatus tendonitis/tendinopathy." Respondent was subsequently referred to Dr. Cid who diagnosed him with "Rotator Cuff Tear with Adhesive Capsulitis." From September 27, 2005 to January 28, 2006, respondent underwent a series of physical therapy sessions. However, despite the treatment that he received and improvement in his condition, respondent continued to suffer shoulder pain. By the time that Dr. Cruz-Balbon certified that respondent is already fit to work on January 31, 2006, 142 days had passed since respondent's repatriation on September 11, 2005. During that period, respondent was incapacitated to perform his work as a bosun, which consequently deprived him of his livelihood. Pursuant to Crystal Shipping, respondent is already deemed to be suffering from permanent total disability.

Even if the Court resolves the present Petition by its pronouncements in Elburg Shipmanagement Phils., Inc. v. Quiogue, Jr.,30 the company-designated physician still failed to make a determination of respondent's disability within the period prescribed by law, i.e., 120 days. Dr. Lim and Dr. Cruz-Balbon did not give a medical diagnosis within the 120-day period that could justify the extension of respondent's treatment to 240 days. As discussed above, Dr. Cruz-Balbon declared respondent "Fit to Resume Sea Duties" only on January 31, 2006, or after the lapse of 142 days. Dr. Lim and/or Dr. Cruz-Balbon did not offer any plausible reason for their failure to comply with the 120-day rule, hence, respondent's disability became permanent and total.

Lastly, we find the award of attorney's fees in favor of respondent to be in order. Where an employee is forced to litigate and incur expenses to protect his right and interest, he is entitled to an award of attorney's fees equivalent to 10% of the award.31

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Petition for Review on Certiorari is DENIED. The assailed Decision dated June 30, 2011 and Resolution dated January 17, 2012 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 111835 are AFFIRMED.

SO ORDERED.

Del Castillo, Jardeleza, and Tijam, JJ., concur.
Bersamin, J.
, on official business.

Endnotes:


1Rollo, pp. 57-67; penned by Associate Justice Stephen C. Cruz with Associate Justices Isaias P. Dicdican and Angelita A. Gacutan concurring.

2 Id. at 108-117; Presiding Commissioner Benedicto R. Palacol with Commissioners Isabel G. Panganiban-Ortiguerra and Nieves Vivar-de Castro concurring.

3 Id. at 104-106.

4 Id. at 69-70.

5 Id. at 161.

6 Id. at 160.

7 Id. at 109

8 Id. at 162-163.

9 Id. at 170-171.

10 Id. at 185.

11 Id. at 187.

12 Id. at 164.

13 Id. at 134-137.

14 Id. at 175.

15 Id. at 225-227.

16 Id. at 176-177.

17 Id. at 177-179.

18 Id. at 151-155.

19 Id. at 156-157.

20 Id. at 120-132; penned by Labor Arbiter Melquiades Sol D. Del Rosario.

21 Id. at 131.

22 588 Phil. 895 (2008).

23 510 Phil. 332 (2005).

24 Rollo, p. 66.

25 Id. at 37.

26 July 21, 2015.

27 773 Phil. 428 (2015).

28 Id. at 438-443.

29 Supra note 23 at 340-341.

30 765 Phil. 341 (2015).

31United Phil. Lines, Inc. v. Sibug, 731 Phil. 294, 303 (2014).




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  • G.R. No. 219708, October 03, 2018 - TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENTERPRISE ZONE AUTHORITY, Petitioner, v. GLOBAL-V BUILDERS CO., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222219, October 03, 2018 - REYNALDO S. GERALDO, Petitioner, v. THE BILL SENDER CORPORATION/MS. LOURDES NER CANDO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 215922, October 01, 2018 - THELMA C. MULLER, GRACE M. GRECIA, KURT FREDERICK FRITZ C. MULLER, AND HOPE C. MULLER, IN SUBSTITUTION OF THE LATE FRITZ D. MULLER, Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-18-3875 (formerly OCA IPI No. 16-4577-P), October 03, 2018 - CARLOS GAUDENCIO M. MA�ALAC, Complainant, v. HERNAN E. BIDAN, SHERIFF IV, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 53, BACOLOD CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222523, October 03, 2018 - JOSE JOHN C. GUERRERO, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE TRANSMARINE CARRIERS, INC., CELEBRITY CRUISES, AND CARLOS C. SALINAS, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-18-2535 (formerly OCA IPI No. 16-4583-RTJ), October 08, 2018 - CARLOS GAUDENCIO M. MA�ALAC, Complainant, v. HON. EPITO B. GELLADA, PRESIDING JUDGE, BRANCH 53, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BACOLOD, CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 219927, October 03, 2018 - BOARD OF INVESTMENTS, Petitioner, v. SR METALS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 219548, October 17, 2018 - GERARDA H. VILLA, Petitioner, v. STANLEY FERNANDEZ, FLORENTINO AMPIL, JR., AND NOEL CABANGON, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 221250, October 10, 2018 - MAGSAYSAY MARITIME CORPORATION, FLEET MARITIME SERVICE INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND/OR MARLON RO�O, AND M/V AZURA, Petitioners, v. MANUEL R. VERGA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 228779, October 08, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. WILLIAM VILLAROS Y CARANTO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 185622, October 17, 2018 - INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TERMINAL SERVICES, INC., Petitioner, v. THE CITY OF MANILA; LIBERTY M. TOLEDO, IN HER CAPACITY AS TREASURER OF MANILA; GABRIEL ESPINO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS RESIDENT AUDITOR OF MANILA; AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF MANILA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 238338, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EDGARDO DELA ROSA Y EMPAMANO @ "BOY," CRISELDA HUERTO Y DOCOT @ "CECIL," AND RONALDO HUERTO Y DOCOT, Accused-Appellants.

  • A.M. No. 18-08-79-MeTC, October 03, 2018 - RE: DROPPING FROM THE ROLLS OF MR. VICTOR R. LAQUI, JR., CASH CLERK II, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, MANILA.

  • G.R. No. 225061, October 10, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. JOMAR MENDOZA Y MAGNO, Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 238522, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NORMAN BARADI Y VELASCO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 221995, October 03, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE TOLL REGULATORY BOARD, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES TOMAS C. LEGASPI AND RUPERTA V. ESQUITO, PABLO VILLA, TEODORA VILLA, FLORENCIO VILLA, AND RURAL BANK OF CALAMBA (LAGUNA), INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 221548, October 03, 2018 - RENERIO M. VILLAS, Petitioner, v. C.F. SHARP CREW MANAGEMENT, INC., Respondent; G.R. No. 221561, October 3, 2018 - C.F. SHARP CREW MANAGEMENT, INC., Petitioner, v. RENERIO M. VILLAS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225213, October 03, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. CEASAR CONLU Y BENETUA, Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 7972, October 03, 2018 - ANGELITO CABALIDA, Petitioner, v. ATTY. SOLOMON A. LOBRIDO, JR. AND ATTY. DANNY L. PONDEVILLA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209359, October 17, 2018 - METROHEIGHTS SUBDIVISION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Petitioner, v. CMS CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TOMASITO T. CRUZ, TITA F. CRUZ, SIMONETTE F. CRUZ, ANGEL T. CRUZ, ERNESTO T. CRUZ AND METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM (MWSS), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 219491, October 17, 2018 - STEPHEN Y. KU, Petitioner, v. RCBC SECURITIES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200258, October 03, 2018 - PHILIPPINE HAMMONIA SHIP AGENCY, NARCISSUS L. DURAN, DORCHESTER MARITIME LIMITED, Petitioners, v. FERDINAND Z. ISRAEL, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11486 (Formerly CBD No. 13-3899), October 17, 2018 - FERNANDO A. FLORA III, Complainant, v. ATTY. GIOVANNI A. LUNA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 237742, October 08, 2018 - CELSO OLIVIER T. DATOR, Petitioner, v. HON. CONCHITA CARPIO-MORALES, IN HER CAPACITY AS THE OMBUDSMAN, AND HON. GERARD A. MOSQUERA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE DEPUTY OMBUDSMAN FOR LUZON, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 234161, October 17, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LUDIVICO PATRIMONIO BANDOJO, JR. AND KENNY JOY VILLACORTA ILETO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 208114, October 03, 2018 - MELKY CONCHA AND ROMEO MANAGUELOD, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 176549, October 10, 2018 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM, QUEZON CITY & PABLO MENDOZA, Petitioner, v. ROMEO C. CARRIEDO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 227707, October 08, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JEROME PASCUA Y AGOTO A.K.A. "OGIE,", Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 219708, October 03, 2018 - TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENTERPRISE ZONE AUTHORITY, Petitioner, v. GLOBAL-V BUILDERS CO., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222219, October 03, 2018 - REYNALDO S. GERALDO, Petitioner, v. THE BILL SENDER CORPORATION/MS. LOURDES NER CANDO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 215922, October 01, 2018 - THELMA C. MULLER, GRACE M. GRECIA, KURT FREDERICK FRITZ C. MULLER, AND HOPE C. MULLER, IN SUBSTITUTION OF THE LATE FRITZ D. MULLER, Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-18-3875 (formerly OCA IPI No. 16-4577-P), October 03, 2018 - CARLOS GAUDENCIO M. MA�ALAC, Complainant, v. HERNAN E. BIDAN, SHERIFF IV, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 53, BACOLOD CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222523, October 03, 2018 - JOSE JOHN C. GUERRERO, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE TRANSMARINE CARRIERS, INC., CELEBRITY CRUISES, AND CARLOS C. SALINAS, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-18-2535 (formerly OCA IPI No. 16-4583-RTJ), October 08, 2018 - CARLOS GAUDENCIO M. MA�ALAC, Complainant, v. HON. EPITO B. GELLADA, PRESIDING JUDGE, BRANCH 53, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BACOLOD, CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 219927, October 03, 2018 - BOARD OF INVESTMENTS, Petitioner, v. SR METALS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 219548, October 17, 2018 - GERARDA H. VILLA, Petitioner, v. STANLEY FERNANDEZ, FLORENTINO AMPIL, JR., AND NOEL CABANGON, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 221250, October 10, 2018 - MAGSAYSAY MARITIME CORPORATION, FLEET MARITIME SERVICE INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND/OR MARLON RO�O, AND M/V AZURA, Petitioners, v. MANUEL R. VERGA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 228779, October 08, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. WILLIAM VILLAROS Y CARANTO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 185622, October 17, 2018 - INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TERMINAL SERVICES, INC., Petitioner, v. THE CITY OF MANILA; LIBERTY M. TOLEDO, IN HER CAPACITY AS TREASURER OF MANILA; GABRIEL ESPINO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS RESIDENT AUDITOR OF MANILA; AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF MANILA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 238338, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EDGARDO DELA ROSA Y EMPAMANO @ "BOY," CRISELDA HUERTO Y DOCOT @ "CECIL," AND RONALDO HUERTO Y DOCOT, Accused-Appellants.

  • A.M. No. 18-08-79-MeTC, October 03, 2018 - RE: DROPPING FROM THE ROLLS OF MR. VICTOR R. LAQUI, JR., CASH CLERK II, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, MANILA.

  • G.R. No. 225061, October 10, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. JOMAR MENDOZA Y MAGNO, Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 238522, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NORMAN BARADI Y VELASCO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 221995, October 03, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE TOLL REGULATORY BOARD, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES TOMAS C. LEGASPI AND RUPERTA V. ESQUITO, PABLO VILLA, TEODORA VILLA, FLORENCIO VILLA, AND RURAL BANK OF CALAMBA (LAGUNA), INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 221548, October 03, 2018 - RENERIO M. VILLAS, Petitioner, v. C.F. SHARP CREW MANAGEMENT, INC., Respondent; G.R. No. 221561, October 3, 2018 - C.F. SHARP CREW MANAGEMENT, INC., Petitioner, v. RENERIO M. VILLAS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225213, October 03, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. CEASAR CONLU Y BENETUA, Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 7972, October 03, 2018 - ANGELITO CABALIDA, Petitioner, v. ATTY. SOLOMON A. LOBRIDO, JR. AND ATTY. DANNY L. PONDEVILLA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209359, October 17, 2018 - METROHEIGHTS SUBDIVISION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Petitioner, v. CMS CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TOMASITO T. CRUZ, TITA F. CRUZ, SIMONETTE F. CRUZ, ANGEL T. CRUZ, ERNESTO T. CRUZ AND METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM (MWSS), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 219491, October 17, 2018 - STEPHEN Y. KU, Petitioner, v. RCBC SECURITIES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200258, October 03, 2018 - PHILIPPINE HAMMONIA SHIP AGENCY, NARCISSUS L. DURAN, DORCHESTER MARITIME LIMITED, Petitioners, v. FERDINAND Z. ISRAEL, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11486 (Formerly CBD No. 13-3899), October 17, 2018 - FERNANDO A. FLORA III, Complainant, v. ATTY. GIOVANNI A. LUNA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 237742, October 08, 2018 - CELSO OLIVIER T. DATOR, Petitioner, v. HON. CONCHITA CARPIO-MORALES, IN HER CAPACITY AS THE OMBUDSMAN, AND HON. GERARD A. MOSQUERA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE DEPUTY OMBUDSMAN FOR LUZON, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 234161, October 17, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LUDIVICO PATRIMONIO BANDOJO, JR. AND KENNY JOY VILLACORTA ILETO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 208114, October 03, 2018 - MELKY CONCHA AND ROMEO MANAGUELOD, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 176549, October 10, 2018 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM, QUEZON CITY & PABLO MENDOZA, Petitioner, v. ROMEO C. CARRIEDO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 216930, October 09, 2018 - COUNCIL OF TEACHERS AND STAFF OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES (CoTeSCUP), SENTRO NG MGA NAGKAKAISANG PROGRESIBONG MGA MANGGAGAWA (SENTRO), FEDERATION OF FREE WORKERS (FFW), NATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF LABOR (NCL), PUBLIC SERVICES LABOR INDEPENDENT CONFEDERATION (PSLINK), PARTIDO MANGGAGAWA (PM), ADAMSON UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, FACULTY ALLIED AND WORKER UNION OF CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY, FACULTY ASSOCIATION MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY FACULTY ASSOCIATION, HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY TEACHERS AND EMPLOYEES UNION, LYCEUM FACULTY ASSOCIATION, SAN BEDA COLLEGE ALABANG EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, SILIMAN UNIVERSITY FACULTY ASSOCIATION, UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST RAMON MAGSAYSAY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION-FFW (UERMEA-FFW), UNION OF FACULTY AND EMPLOYEES OF ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY UNION, PROF. FLORDELIZ ABANTO (IN HER CAPACITY AS VICE PRESIDENT OF ST. SCHOLASTICA'S COLLEGE FACULTY ASSOCIATION), PROF. REBECCA T. A�ONUEVO (IN HER CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF MIRIAM COLLEGE FACULTY ASSOCIATION), PROF. MARIA RITA REYES CUCIO (IN HER CAPACITY AS FACULTY OF SAN BEDA COLLEGE), AND MR. JOMEL B. GENERAL (IN HIS CAPACITY AS EMPLOYEE OF PHILIPPINE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND OFFICER OF THE FFW), Petitioners, v. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, SECRETARY OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, SECRETARY OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND MIRIAM COLLEGE, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 217451, October 9, 2018 - DR. BIENVENIDO LUMBERA (PAMBANSANG ALAGAD NG SINING AT PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES/UP); CONG. ANTONIO TINIO (ACT TEACHERS' PARTYLIST); CONG. FERNANDO "KA PANDO" HICAP (ANAKPAWIS PARTYLIST AT TAGAPANGULO NG PAMALAKAYA); CONG. JAMES MARK TERRY RIDON (KABATAAN PARTYLIST); DR. RHODERICK NUNCIO (VICE-DEAN, NG KOLEHIYO NG MALALAYANG SINING, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY/DLSU); PROP. AURA ABIERA (TAGAPANGULO NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO AT PANITIKAN NG PILIPINAS SA UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-DILIMAN); DR. ERNESTO CARANDANG II (TAGAPANGULO NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); DR. ROBERTO AMPIL (TAGAPANGULO NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS); PROP. MARVIN LAI (TAGAPANGULO NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINOLOHIYA NG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES/PUP); PROP. NELSON RAMIREZ (TAGAPANGULO NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO, UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST/UE-MANILA); DR. ESTER RADA (TAGAPANGULO NG KAGAWARAN NG FILIPINO, SAN BEDA COLLEGE-MANILA); PROP. JORGE PACIFICO CUIBILLAS (TAGAPANGULO NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO, FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY-MANILA); PROP. ANDREW PADERNAL (TAGAPANGULO NG KAGAWARAN NG FILIPINO, PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG PASIG/PLP); PROP. MICHAEL DOMINGO PANTE (FACULTY MEMBER SA HISTORY DEPARTMENT, ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY); BENJAMIN VALBUENA (TAGAPANGULO NG ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TEACHERS/ACT-PHILIPPINES); DR. PRISCILLA AMPUAN (PANGULO NG QUEZON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION/QCPSTA); PROP. CARL MARC RAMOTA (PANGULO NG ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TEACHERS-STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES/ACT�SUC); DR. ROWELL MADULA (PANGULO NG ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TEACHERS-PRIVATE SCHOOLS/ACT�PRIVATE); DR. AURORA BATNAG (PANGULO NG PAMBANSANG SAMAHAN SA LINGGWISTIKA AT LITERATURANG FILIPINO/PSLLF); DR. JUDY TAGUIWALO (FULL PROFESSOR SA COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, UP DILIMAN); DR. DANILO ARAO (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SA DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM, COLLEGE OF MASS COMMUNICATION, UP DILIMAN); DR. DAVID MICHAEL SAN JUAN (EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER NG NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS-NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION/NCCA�NCLT); RONNEL B. AGONCILLO JR., (PANGULO NG PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY/PNU-STUDENT GOVERNMENT); DR. REUEL MOLINA AGUILA (PALANCA HALL OF FAMER AT TAGAPAYO NG KATAGA�SAMAHAN NG MGA MANUNULAT SA PILIPINAS); ERICSON ACOSTA (MANUNULAT AT DATING BILANGGONG POLITIKAL, AT KASAPI NG ANAKPAWIS PARTYLIST); PROP. ADRIAN BALAGOT (DIREKTOR NG CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION, PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA/PLMar); PROP. PENAFRANCIA RANIELA BARRAZA (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO AT PANITIKAN NG PILIPINAS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-DILIMAN); PROP. HERMAN MANALO BOGNOT (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTMENT OF EUROPEAN LANGUAGES, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES); PROP. LAURENCE MARVIN CASTILLO (INSTRUCTOR SA DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-LOS BA�OS); DR. ANTONIO CONTRERAS (FULL PROFESSOR SA POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY/DLSU); PROP. RAMILITO CORREA (PANGULO NG SANGGUNIAN SA FILIPINO/SANGFIL); GEROME NICOLAS DELA PE�A (PANGULO NG SAMAHAN NG MGA MAG-AARAL SA ASIGNATURANG FILIPINO, SAMFIL-PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG PASIG/PLP); PROP. WENNIELYN FAJILAN (FACULTY MEMBER NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO, UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS); FLODY FERNANDEZ (PANGULO NG RAMON MAGSAYSAY HIGH SCHOOL (CUBAO) FACULTY CLUB); PROP. SANTIAGO FLORA (VICE-PRESIDENT FOR OPERATIONS NG QUEZON CITY POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY); PROP. MELANIA FLORES (NATIONAL PRO NG ALL UP ACADEMIC EMPLOYEES' UNION, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES/UP); DR. LAKANDUPIL GARCIA (FULL PROFESSOR NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARI�AS); DR. FANNY GARCIA (PALANCA AWARDEE AT FACULTY MEMBER NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY/DLSU); PROP. JONATHAN GERONIMO (COORDINATOR NG KATAGA-MANILA UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS/UST); PROP. VLADIMEIR GONZALES (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO AT PANITIKAN NG PILIPINAS-UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-DILIMAN); PROP. FERDINAND PISIGAN JARIN (PALANCA AWARDEE AT PANGULO NG KATAGA-SAMAHAN NG MGA MANUNULAT SA PILIPINAS); JOHN ROBERT MAGSOMBOL (PANGULO NG UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS-PANULAT); PROP. JOEL MALABANAN (TAGAPAYO NG KAPISANANG DIWA AT PANITIK/KADIPAN SA PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY/PNU); PROP. DENNIS MANGUBAT (FACULTY MEMBER NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG SAN BEDA COLLEGE-MANILA); PROP. JOANNE MANZANO (FACULTY MEMBER NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO AT PANITIKAN NG PILIPINAS-UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-DILIMAN); PROP. BERNADETTE NERI (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO AT PANITIKAN NG PILIPINAS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-DILIMAN); RAYMOND PALATINO (TAGAPANGULO NG BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN/BAYAN-NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION); PROP. APRIL PEREZ (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO AT PANITIKAN NG PILIPINAS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-DILIMAN); PROP. JAYSON PETRAS (DEPUTY DIRECTOR NG INSTITUTE OF CREATIVE WRITING, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES�DILIMAN); PROP. CRIZEL SICAT-DE LAZA (KATUWANG NG KALIHIM NG SANGGUNIAN NG FILIPINO/SANGFIL AT FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS/UST); PROP. DENNIS JOSEPH RAYMUNDO (FACULTY MEMBER NG KALAYAAN COLLEGE); DR. BEVERLY SARZA (FACULTY MEMBER NG PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); DR. RAQUEL SISON-BUBAN (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); PROP. VIVENCIO M. TALEGON, JR. (FULL-TIME FACULTY SA UNIVERSITY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, ORTIGAS CENTER, PASIG); ISAAC ALI TAPAR (PANGULO NG MANILA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY ASSOCIATION); DR. DOLORES TAYLAN (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); DR. ALITA TEPACE (PROPESOR SA PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY-MANILA); PROP. OM NARAYAN VELASCO (INSTRUCTOR SA UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-LOS BA�OS); ANDREA JEAN YASO�A (PANGULO NG KAPISANANG DIWA AT PANITIK-PNU); PROP. REYNELE BREN ZAFRA (FACULTY MEMBER NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS); DR. RUBY ALUNEN (FACULTY MEMBER NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); PROP. BAYANI SANTOS, JR. (FACULTY MEMBER NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG MANUEL LUIS QUEZON UNIVERSITY/MLQU); PROP. CHRISTO REY ALBASON (GURO SA SINING NG BAYAN/GUSI); PROP. LILIBETH OBLENA-QUIORE (FACULTY MEMBER NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); PROP. DANIM MAJERANO (DIREKTOR NG PANANALIKSIK AT EDUKASYON, SAMAHANG SALIKSIK PASIG, INC.); RUSTUM CASIA (KM 64 POETRY COLLECTIVE); CHARISSE BERNADINE BA�EZ (TAGAPAGSALITA NG LEAGUE OF FILIPINO STUDENTS/LFS); DR. JENNIFOR AGUILAR (CHAIRPERSON NG DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION NG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES/PUP); PROP. MOREAL NAGARIT CAMBA (TAGAPANGULO NG DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO, UNIVERSITY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC - PASIG); PROP. CLEVE ARGUELLES (CHAIRPERSON NG POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES�MANILA); DR. MARIA LUCILLE ROXAS (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); PROP. VOLTAIRE VILLANUEVA (FACULTY MEMBER SA PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY); DR. JOSEFINA MANGAHIS (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); PROP. EMMA SISON (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); AYLEEN ORTIZ (MANUNULAT); PROP. EFREN DOMINGO (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY�MANILA); PROP. LESLIE ANNE LIWANAG (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); DR. LAKANGITING GARCIA (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY�MANILA); PROP. MIRYLLE CALINDRO (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); DR. LAKANDUPIL GARCIA (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY�DASMARI�AS); DR. DEXTER CAYANES (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); DR. TERESITA FORTUNATO (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA); DR. MA. RITA ARANDA (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY�MANILA); DR. EMMA BASCO (FACULTY MEMBER SA DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINO NG DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY�MANILA), Petitioners. v. PANGULONG BENIGNO SIMEON "NOYNOY" C. AQUINO III, AT PUNONG KOMISYUNER NG KOMISYON SA LALONG MATAAS NA EDUKASYON/COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) DR. PATRICIA LICUANAN, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 217752, October 9, 2018 - ANTONIO "SONNY" F. TRILLANES IV, GARY C. ALEJANO AND FRANCISCO ASHLEY L. ACEDILLO, Petitioners, v. HON. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR., IN HIS CAPACITY AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, HON. ARMIN A. LUISTRO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 218045, October 9, 2018 - EDUARDO R. ALICIAS, JR. AND AURELIO P. RAMOS, JR., Petitioners, v. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DepEd) AND THE SECRETARY OF THE DepEd, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 218098, October 9, 2018 - RICHARD TROY A COLMENARES, RENE LUIS M. TADLE, ERLINDA C. PALAGANAS, RUTH THELMA P. TINGDA, RONALD TAGGAOA, JOSEPH PORFIRIO ANDAYA, FLORANTE DULACA, FROILAN A. ALIPAO; KATHLEA FRANCYNN GAWANI D. YA�GOT, MIEL ALEXANDRE A. TAGGAOA, AGATHA ZITA DISTOR, ISABELLE C. UMINGA, ALDWIN GABRIEL M. PINAS, ATREENA MARIE DULAY, ZION GABRIEL SANTOS, SIBLINGS BRENNAN KEANE, BREN KIMI, AND BASLEY KICH, ALL SURNAMED DELA CRUZ, JASSEL ANGELO ENRIQUEZ, SIBLINGS GYRO MATTHEW AND MARGA RAUXIELLE AGLAIA, BOTH SURNAMED GUEVARRA, SIBLINGS ALTHEA, ALEXA, AND AMANDA, ALL SURNAMED ABEJO, AND ELEANNIE JERECE S. CAWIS, REPRESENTED BY THEIR PARENTS LEANDRO B. YA�GOT, JR., JENNIFER A. TAGGAOA, MILO DISTOR, JOSE MARI UMINGA, GABRIEL PAUL PINAS, SOFRONIO DULAY, LUZ A. SANTOS, BARBY M. DELA CRUZ, RUBY G. ENRIQUEZ, ROWENA C. GUEVARRA, MARISEL P. ABEJO, AND VITTORIO JERICO L. CAWIS, RESPECTIVELY, FOR THEMSELVES AND THE CLASS THEY REPRESENT; REVENENDO R. VARGAS, ANNIELA R. YU-SOLIVEN, VILMA C. BENIGNO, MARIA CRISTINA F. DUNGCA, LIZA DAOANIS, ROMMEL M. FRANCISCO, FELIZA G. AGUSTIN, EMELITA C. VIDAL, ROMMEL D. RAMISCAL, JOCELYN ELEAZAR DE GUZMAN, ANDREA P. VILLALON, AND JOYCE FE T. ALMENARIO, FOR THEMSELVES AND THE CLASS THEY REPRESENT, Petitioners, v. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SECRETARY ARMIN A. LUISTRO, COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION CHAIRPERSON PATRICIA B. LICUANAN, TECHNICAL SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DIRECTOR-GENERAL JOEL J. VILLANUEVA, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT SECRETARY ROSALINDA D. BALDOZ, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SECRETARY CESAR V. PURISIMA, SENATE PRESIDENT FRANKLIN M. DRILON, AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 218123, October 9, 2018 - CONG. ANTONIO TINIO (REPRESENTATIVE, ACT TEACHERS PARTY-LIST); CONG. NERI COLMENARES (REPRESENTATIVE, BAYAN MUNA PARTY-LIST); DR. BIENVENIDO LUMBERA (NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE AND PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UP); CONG. CARLOS ZARATE (REPRESENTATIVE, BAYAN MUNA PARTY-LIST); CONG. FERNANDO "KA PANDO" HICAP (REPRESENTATIVE, ANAKPAWIS PARTY-LIST; CHAIRPERSON, PAMALAKAYA); CONG. LUZVIMINDA ILAGAN (REPRESENTATIVE, GABRIELA WOMEN'S PARTY); CONG. EMMI DE JESUS (REPRESENTATIVE, GABRIELA PARTY-LIST); CONG. TERRY RIDON (REPRESENTATIVE, KABATAAN PARTY�LIST); RENATO REYES, JR. (SECRETARY-GENERAL, BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN/ BAYAN AND PARENT OF AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT); BENJAMIN VALBUENA (CHAIRPERSON, ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TEACHERS-PHILIPPINES); MARTIN DI�O (CHAIRPERSON OF THE VOLUNTEERS AGAINST CRIME AND CORRUPTION); JOVITA MONTES (SPOKESPERSON, PARENTS' MOVEMENT AGAINST K TO 12); KHARLO FELIPE MANANO (SECRETARY-GENERAL, SALINLAHI ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S CONCERNS); GERTRUDES LIBANG, (NATIONAL VICE-CHAIRPERSON, GABRIELA); RONEL AGONCILLO (STUDENT REGENT, PNU); VENCER MARIE CRISOSTOMO (NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON, ANAKBAYAN); CHARISSE BERNADINE BA�EZ (NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON, LEAGUE OF FILIPINO STUDENTS/LFS); EINSTEIN RECEDES (NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON STUDENT CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES); MICHAEL BELTRAN (NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON, KABATAANG ARTISTA PARA SA TUNAY NA KALAYAAN); SARAH JANE ELAGO (NATIONAL PRESIDENT, NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES); MARC LINO ABILA (NATIONAL PRESIDENT, COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES); VANESSA FAYE BOLIBOL (CONVENOR, STOP K TO 12); DR. ROLANDO TOLENTINO (DEAN, COLLEGE OF MASS COMMUNICATION, UP); DR. FEDELIZ TUY (ASSOCIATE VICE DEAN, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, SBC MANILA); DR. ERNESTO CARANDANG II (CHAIRPERSON, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, DLSU MANILA); PROF. MARIA LOURDES AGUSTIN (CHAIRPERSON, INSTITUTE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING, PNU); PROF. ROWENA RIVERO (CHAIR, ENGLISH, FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. CLEVE ARGUELLES (CHAIRPERSON, POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAM, DLSU MANILA); DR. ANNABEL QUILON (CHAIR, PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); DR. BAYANI MATITU (CHAIR, HUMAN KINETICS DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. MARVIN LAI (CHAIRPERSON, DEPARTAMENTO NG FILIPINOLOHIYA, PUP MANILA); PROF. MERDEKA C. MORALES (CHIEF, PUP CENTER FOR CREATIVE WRITING); DR. ROBERTO AMPIL (CHAIRPERSON, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, UST); PROF. NELSON RAMIREZ (CHAIRPERSON, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST MANILA); DR. JENNIFOR AGUILAR (CHAIRPERSON, MA FILIPINO PROGRAM, GRADUATE SCHOOL, PUP); DR. LIWAYWAY ACERO (CHAIRPERSON, HUMAN BIOLOGY AND SCIENCES DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); DR. ESTER RADA (CHAIRPERSON, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); DR. MARVIN REYES (PREFECT OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, SBC MANILA); PROF. NEILIA BALANON-RAMIREZ (ASSISTANT PREFECT OF STUDENT DISCIPLINE, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, SBC MANILA); PROF. LUISITO MACAPAGAL (CHAIRPERSON, MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); DR. NOEL SANTANDER (CHAIRPERSON, THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. GERARD SANTOS (ASSISTANT PREFECT OF STUDENT DISCIPLINE, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, SBC MANILA); PROF. ALBERT OASAN (ASSISTANT PREFECT OF STUDENT DISCIPLINE, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, SBC MANILA); PROF. JULIUS TUTOR (ASSISTANT PREFECT OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, SBC MANILA); PROF. SYBIL AGREDA (ASSISTANT PREFECT OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, SBC MANILA); PROF. LEOMAR REQUEJO (CHIEF, MUSIC SECTION, PUP); DR. AURORA BATNAG (PANGULO, PAMBANSANG SAMAHAN SA LINGGWISTIKA AT LITERATURANG FILIPINO); PROF. RAMILITO CORREA (PRESIDENT, SANGGUNIAN SA FILIPINO/SANGFIL); PROF. CHRISTO RAY ALBAZON (PRO, GURO SA SINING NG BAYAN, PUP); DR. RAMON GUILLERMO (PRESIDENT, ALL UP ACADEMIC EMPLOYEES' UNION); PROF. MELANIA FLORES (NATIONAL PRO, ALL UP ACADEMIC EMPLOYEES' UNION); PROF. ORESTES DE LOS REYES (PRESIDENT, ADAMSON UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND EMPLOYEES); PROF. JAMES PLATON (VICE PRESIDENT FOR LABOR EDUCATION, UST FACULTY UNION); MR. FELIX PARINAS, JR., (PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, ALL UP WORKERS' UNION); PROF. MICHAEL PANTE (FACULTY, HISTORY DEPARTMENT, ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY); PROF. VLADIMEIR B. GONZALES (FACULTY, UP-DILIMAN); PROF. LAURENCE MARVIN S. CASTILLO (FACULTY, UP-LOS BA�OS); DR. ROMMEL RODRIGUEZ (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, UP-DILIMAN); DR. DOLORES TAYLAN (FACULTY MEMBER, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, DLSU MANILA); DR. TERESITA FORTUNATO (FACULTY MEMBER, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, DLSU MANILA); DR. RAQUEL SISON�BUBAN (FACULTY MEMBER, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, DLSU MANILA); PROF. LILIBETH QUIORE (FACULTY MEMBER, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, DLSU MANILA); DR. MA. RITA ARANDA (FACULTY MEMBER, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, DLSU MANILA); PROF. PORTIA PLACINO (FACULTY MEMBER, UP DILIMAN); PROF. JOEL MALABANAN (FACULTY MEMBER, COLLEGE OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE, PNU); DR. LUCIA B. DELA CRUZ (REGISTERED GUIDANCE COUNSELOR; PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI); PROF. GERARDO LANUZA (PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, UP DILIMAN); PROF. SARAH JANE S. RAYMUNDO (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, UP DILIMAN); PROF. FERDINAND JARIN (FACULTY MEMBER, PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY); PROF. EMELITO SARMAGO (FACULTY MEMBER, UST); PROF. MARY ANNE MALLARI (FACULTY MEMBER, UST); PROF. WENNIELYN FAJILAN (FACULTY MEMBER, UST); PROF. REYNELE BREN ZAFRA (FACULTY MEMBER, UST); PROF. JOHN KELVIN BRIONES (FACULTY MEMBER, ENGLISH DEPARTMENT, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS, BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY); PROF. DENNIS MANGUBAT (FACULTY MEMBER, FILIPINO DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. MINERVA SERRANO (FACULTY MEMBER, MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. MARIE JOCELYN BENGCO (FACULTY MEMBER, PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. CLYDE CORPUZ (FACULTY MEMBER, SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); DR. LIZA CRUZ (FACULTY MEMBER, HUMAN BIOLOGY AND SCIENCES DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); DR. SOCORRO DE JESUS (FACULTY MEMBER, ENGLISH, FOREIGN LANGUAGES, AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT); PROF. TERESITA DULAY (FACULTY MEMBER, MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. JULIO CASTILLO, JR. (FACULTY MEMBER, DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. ESTHER CUARESMA (FACULTY MEMBER, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. ARNOLD DONOZO (FACULTY MEMBER, MATH DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. ROAN DINO (FACULTY MEMBER, KAGAWARAN NG FILIPINOHIYA, PUP); DR. MARIA ELIZA CRUZ (FACULTY MEMBER, NATURAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. JOSEPHINE DANGO (FACULTY, THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. HIPOLITO RUZOL (FACULTY, KAGAWARAN NG FILIPINO, SBC MANILA); PROF. KERWIN MARK MARTINEZ (FACULTY, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); DR. VIOLETA REYES (FACULTY, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. LUISITO DE LA CRUZ (FACULTY, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); ATTY. ALDEN REUBEN LUNA (FACULTY, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. DON SANTANA (FACULTY, MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. CHARLES BRO�ASA (FACULTY, MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. JESSTER FONSECA (FACULTY, THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); DR. NERISSA REVILLA (FACULTY, ENGLISH, FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. ROMANA ALIPIO (FACULTY, ENGLISH, FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. JOSEPHINE PAZ ANDAL (FACULTY, ENGLISH, FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT SBC MANILA); PROF. MIGUELA MIGUEL (FACULTY, ENGLISH, FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. ARJAN ESPIRITU (FACULTY, ENGLISH, FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. PILIPINO RAMOS (FACULTY, ACCOUNTANCY DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. KIM GUIA (FACULTY, PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT, SBC MANILA); PROF. JONA IRIS TRAMBULO (FACULTY, TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES/TUP); ELIZABETH ANTHONY (UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS); EMELITO SARMAGO (UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS); RONALD P.TAGGAOA (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); TERESITA MENNA K. DE GUZMAN (FACULTY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); SAMUEL D. BARTOLOME (PROFESSOR, RELIGION DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); REYNALDO O. DUMPAYAN (PROFESSOR, RELIGION DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); JEROME P. ARO (FACULTY, CAD-SCIS DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); SAMUEL D. SILOG (FACULTY, RELIGION DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); ROSALINDA P. SEGUNDO; (PROFESSOR, SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); BRIGITTE P. AWISAN (FACULTY, RELIGION DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); RAUL LEANDRO R. VILLANUEVA (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); LAWRENCE DEXTER D. LADIA (PROFESSOR, RELIGION DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); GEORGE M. TAWAO (SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); DONNIE D. EVARISTO (SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); CHERRY M. RAFANAN (NURSING AIDE, HOSPITAL OF THE SACRED HEART SLU); JULIO U. BERSAMIRA, JR. (PRINTING PRESS ASSISTANT, PRINTING PRESS OFFICE SLU); JONES Q. CALINGAYAN (FACULTY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); BRIAN LORENZO A. SALVALEON (KITCHEN HELPER, SLU LADIES' RESIDENCE HALLS); ROLLY L. MARANES (LABORATORY TECHNICIAN, SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, SLU); CAROL ANN F. BALAUS (ACCOUNTING CLERK, UFESLU SLU EMPLOYEES UNION); MICHELLE B. BRAGAS (ACCOUNTING CLERK, UFESLU SLU EMPLOYEES UNION); ERNESTO JOEY F. CHOMAWIN (SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); GIAN CARLO C. GEGUIERA (FACULTY, RELIGION DEPARTMENT, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY); MON KARLO MANGARAN (BARANGAY COUNCILOR, CANIOGAN, MALOLOS, BULACAN); MARY ANGELICA H. REGINALDO (STUDENT, M.A. MALIKHAING PAGSULAT, DFPP-KAL, UP DILIMAN); RUSTUM CASIA (KM64 POETRY COLLECTIVE); ELIZABETH ANTHONY (PRESIDENT, UST PANULAT); ARIES GUPIT (LEAGUE OF FILIPINO STUDENTS); BRIX JUSTINE PAGTALUNAN (PARTIDO-PAGKAKAISA NG DEMOKRATIKONG MAG-AARAL/PDM-BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY); FRANCIS JAMES PAGDANGANAN (PARTIDO�PAGKAKAISA NG DEMOKRATIKONG MAG-AARAL/BULSU); ANGELO SUALIBIO (STUDENTS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS IN BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY/STAND BULSU); MARK JOSEPH DOMASIG (STUDENTS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS IN BULSU); JOHN RAVEN BALDOVINO (STUDENTS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS IN STAND BULSU); CEDRIQ CLEMENTE (STUDENTS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS IN STAND BULSU); MARIE ANTONETTE VALENCIA (STUDENTS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS IN STAND BULSU); REINARD SANCHEZ (STAND BULSU); RICHARD PATRIARCA (STUDENTS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS IN BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY/STAND BULSU); JOEL A. CAPULONG (TONTONGAN TI UMILI, BAGUIO CITY); JEANETTE R. CAWIDING (TONTONGAN TI UMILI); MILAGROS K. AO-WAT (TONTONGAN TI UMILI); HILDRINE L. ALVAREZ (TONTONGAN TI UMILI); VICENTE R. TOCA III (TONTONGAN TI UMILI); TRACY ANNE D. DUMALO (TONTONGAN TI UMILI); KING CRIS P. PULMANO (TONTONGAN TI UMILI); MARBEN M. PANLASIGUI (TONTONGAN TI UMILI); LUKE T. BAGANGAN (TONTONGAN TI UMILI); NINO JOSEPH Q. OCONER (TONTONGAN TI UMILI); DR. PRISCILLA AMPUAN (PRESIDENT, QUEZON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION/ QCPSTA); JACKSON BACABAC (TREASURER, QCPSTA); RAYMOND PALATINO (CHAIRPERSON, BAYAN-NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION); LOUIE ZABALA (PRESIDENT, MANILA PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION); PROF. CARL MARC RAMOTA (PRESIDENT, ACT SUC); DR. ROWELL MADULA (PRESIDENT, ACT PRIVATE); PROF. JONATHAN GERONIMO (SECRETARY GENERAL, ACT PRIVATE SCHOOLS); MICHAEL ESPOSO (AUDITOR, ACT PRIVATE SCHOOLS); DR. DAVID MICHAEL SAN JUAN (PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, ACT PRIVATE SCHOOLS); MR. ISAAC ALI TAPAR (PRESIDENT, MANILA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY ASSOCIATION); PROF. RAMIR M. CRUZ (PRESIDENT, FACULTY ASSOCIATION, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, PUP), Petitioners, v. PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON "NOYNOY" C. AQUINO, COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) CHAIRPERSON DR. PATRICIA LICUANAN, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED) SECRETARY BR. ARMIN LUISTRO, TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) DIRECTOR JOEL VILLANUEVA, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 218465, October 9, 2018 - MA. DOLORES M. BRILLANTES, SEVERO L. BRILLANTES, EMELITA C. VIDAL, FELIZA G. AGUSTIN, EVELYN G. ASTILLA, BRENDA P. BASCOS, ENRICO C. PUNO, MERIAM N. CHAMACKALAYIL, MA LINDA T. FERNANDO, MARIBEL R. LORENZO, CARMELO A. YAMBAO, JOSEPHINE M. DE GUZMAN, ELENA B. CABARLES, GIRLIE M. TALISIC, JACQUELYN N. MARQUEZ, VIVIAN G. SADAC, FELIZA G. AGUSTIN, MARIBEL R. LORENZO, GRACE G. ORALLO, ROSARIO ANTES, GERALDINE G. LUI, WALLY Y. CAMACHO, STANLEY FRANCIS M. LIBERATO, MARJORIE M. SUN, BELEN PANTALEON, IRENE N. ROCHA, CRISTINA T. SANTOS, MARIFE P. OROLFO, CRISTINA L. GANALON, MARITES R. LAZARO, JUANITO SALAZAR, CHRISTINA G. CRUZ, RAMONETTE P. SONCUYA, PAUL ROMMEL C. CAPISTRANO, EDGARDO B. ALVINEZ, JENNIFER C. RODELAS, MARIA VILMA M. ANOS, TERESITA F. ESPEJO, CHRIS C. KATAPANG, FERDINAND BADULIS, MELODY M. RAMIREZ, MINERVA DV. CRUZ, MARIA BERNADETTE A. CALORACAN, MA. CINDERELLA B. ESPIQUE, EVANGELINE A. OBNIAL, ANALYN B. REYES, MARY E. BALLELOS, ANALEA A. RIVERA, HELEN T. TABIOS, VALENTINE B. CUSTODIO, ROSE ANDRADE, CHERYL JOY MIRANDA, JOCELYN MARIANO, REBECCA C. CUARTERO, MARIA MARIETES B. LAURETA, SPS. GIL L. ANISTA & MARLYN P. ANISTA, MARLOUE ABAINZA, FLORDELIZA C. DE VERA, MA. MARGIE G. MIRALLES, MILAGROS M. ESTABILLO, ANGELICA D. BINGCO, ROSFELIZ GEMINI CATIPAY, CHERRYL C. MIRHAN, ROGER S. BERNAL, SAMUEL C. EGUIA, LIZA C. SALVADOR, SLENDA CAGAS, MA. FRANCISCA ANTONIO, EVELYN R. SUMAYLO, LESLEY V. ARGUELLES, FOR THEMSELVES AND ON BEHALF OF THEIR MINOR CHILDREN, MATTHEW M. BRILLANTES, PATRICIA GINGER C. VIDAL, JELIZA G. AGUSTIN, ANGELO JOSE G. ASTILLA, BRYAN CHRISTOPHER P. BASCOS, RENEE LOUISE L. PUNO, RUBEENA N. CHAMACKALAYIL, KIMBERLY T. FERNANDO, SHANAYAH R. LORENZO, MICHAEL ADRIAND G. YAMBAO, JOHANSSON EDWARD DE GUZMAN, RANIER B. CABARLES, JAELA MARIE TALISIC, JANUS ROMELL N. MARQUEZ, RYAN DAVID G. SADAC, SHANAYAH R. LORENZO, PAUL ORALLO, EMILSON RYAN ANTES, GRACE ANN ERICKA LUI, SOFIA MARIYA KYSHA CAMACHO, BEATRICE COLLEEN LIBERATO, CHLOE SOFIA SUN, GELAH PANTALEON, JUSTINE ELIZA N. ROCHA, EDRIN CLYDE T. SANTOS, CONSTANCIO P. OROLFO III, RONIN RIC GANALON, SOFIA KAYLE LAZARO, DJ SALAZAR, DAN PRECIOSO G. CRUZ, JULIE ANNE LOI P. SONCUYA, RICCI PAULINE CATHERINE J. CAPISTRANO, PAUL ED JEREMY M. ALVINEZ, JOSEPH C. RODELAS, RONALD M. ANOS, JASON F. ESPEJO, LAURA CHRISTINE C. KATAPANG, KEITH GABRIEL BADULIS, RON EDRICH RAMIREZ, TOMMIE DANIEL DV. CRUZ, DENISE ANN A. CALORACAN, ELLA MAE B. ESPIQUE, ROSEMARY KEITHLEY A. OBNIAL, RONALDO B. REYES, JR. & ANNA LETICIA B. REYES, CARYLLE ALEX E. BALLELOS, JACKLORENZ A. RIVERA, KARL ADRIAN TABIOS, BREN CHRISTIAN B. CUSTODIO, SHANIA CHIER ANDRADE, CARL JUSTINE MIRANDA, ERIN MARIANO, DENISE NICOLE CUARTERO, GRANT PAUL LAURETA, MA. PATRICIA ANN P. ANISTA, MARDI LOUISE ABAINZA, JAYLORD MOSES C. DE VERA, HANNAH MARIE MIRALLES, SANREE M. ESTABILLO, GIO ANN TRINIDAD BINGCO, ARFEL DOMINICK B. CATIPAY, KITH CEAZAR MIRHAN, JEAN RYAN A. BERNAL, SAMANTHA NICOLE EGUIA; OFFICERS OF THE MANILA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY AND EMPLOYEES CLUB, REPRESENTED BY: ISAAC ALI TAPAR, RUTH DAYRIT, RAYMOND APOSTOL, GINAROSE HABAL, CYNTHIA LYNNE CAUZON, ANABELLE BAYSIC, CRISTINA RICO, KRISTIN MACARANAS, ROMEO BINAMIRA, AND THE CLASS HEREIN REPRESENTED, Petitioners, v. PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III, DEPT. OF EDUCATION SECRETARY BR. ARMIN LUISTRO, NCR REGIONAL DIRECTOR LUZ S. ALMEDA, MANILA SCHOOLS DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT PRISCILA C. DE SAGUN, MANILA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MARIA EVA S. NACION, SENATE PRESIDENT FRANKLIN M. DRILON AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. 13-8-185-RTC, October 17, 2018 - RE: REPORT ON THE JUDICIAL AUDIT CONDUCTED IN THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 24, CEBU CITY

  • G.R. No. 203923, October 08, 2018 - IONA LERIOU, ELEPTHERIOS L. LONGA, AND STEPHEN L. LONGA, Petitioners, v. YOHANNA FRENESI S. LONGA (MINOR) AND VICTORIA PONCIANA S. LONGA (MINOR), REPRESENTED BY THEIR MOTHER MARY JANE B. STA. CRUZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225624, October 03, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. MARIANITO ARCES, JR., Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 230721, October 15, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MONICA JIMENEZ Y DELGADO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 234190, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. FERDINAND DE GUZMAN Y BUHAY, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 226467, October 17, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. XXX,* Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 197626, October 03, 2018 - RAUL S. IMPERIAL, Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF NEIL BAYABAN, AND MARY LOU BAYABAN, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. HOJ-08-02, October 02, 2018 - AAA, Complainant, v. EDGARDO V. SALAZAR, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE GENERAL FOREMAN HALL OF JUSTICE, xxxxxxxx, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207526, October 03, 2018 - THE INSULAR ASSURANCE CO., LTD., Petitioner, v. THE HEIRS OF JOSE H. ALVAREZ, Respondents.; G.R. No. 210156, October 3, 2018 - UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF JOSE H. ALVAREZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 207926, October 15, 2018 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Petitioner, v. COL. NOEL P. MISLANG, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225753, October 15, 2018 - JOSE PAULO LEGASPI Y NAVERA, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.; G.R. No. 225799, October 15, 2018 - VICTOR DAGANAS Y JANDOC, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208590, October 03, 2018 - SULPICIO LINES, INC. (NOW KNOWN AS PHILIPPINE SPAN ASIA CARRIER CORPORATION), Petitioner, v. MAJOR VICTORIO KARAAN, SPOUSES NAPOLEON LABRAGUE AND HERMINIA LABRAGUE, AND ELY LIVA, Respondents.

  • G.R. Nos. 201398-99, October 03, 2018 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. AVON PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING, INC., Respondent.; G.R. Nos. 201418-19, October 3, 2018 - AVON PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING, INC., Petitioner, v. THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210088, October 01, 2018 - ELLEN T. TORDESILLAS, CHARMAINE DEOGRACIAS, ASHZEL HACHERO, JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ, MELINDA QUINTOS DE JESUS, VERGEL O. SANTOS, YVONNE TAN CHUA, BOOMA B. CRUZ, ED LINGAO, ROBY ALAMPAY, JESSICA SOHO, MARIA JUDEA PULIDO, MICHAEL FAJATIN, CONNIE SISON, RAWNNA CRISOSTOMO, J.P. SORIANO, GENA BALAORO, MICHELLE SEVA, LEILANI ALVIS, DANILO ARAO, LETICIA Z. BONIOL, ROWENA C. PARAAN, IRIS C. GONZALES, MA. CRISTINA V. RODRIGUEZ, MARLON RAMOS, LEAH FLOR, MANOLITO C. GAYA, EREL A. CABATBAT, VINCENT CRISTOBAL, JESUS D. RAMOS, MICHAEL C. CARREON, ED DE GUZMAN, MA. AURORA REYES FAJARDO, ELIZABETH JUDITH C. PANELO, ANGEL AYALA, NILO H. BACULO, SR., THE CENTER FOR MEDIA FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY (CMFR), REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MELINDA QUINTOS DE JESUS; THE NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (NUJP), REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY GENERAL ROWENA PARAAN; THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM (PCIJ) REPRESENTED BY ITS CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF EDITORS, MARIA LOURDES C. MANGAHAS; AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE (PPI) REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARIEL SEBELLINO, Petitioners, v. HON. RONALDO PUNO, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HON. RAUL M. GONZALES, SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, HON. GILBERTO C. TEODORO, JR., SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, DIRECTOR GENERAL AVELINO RAZON, JR., CHIEF OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, DIRECTOR GEARY BARIAS, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION POLICE OFFICE (NCRPO), CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT LUIZO TICMAN, CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT LEOCADIO SANTIAGO, JR., PNP SPECIAL ACTION FORCE (SAF) DIRECTOR, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT ASHER DOLINA, CHIEF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND DETECTION GROUP� NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION OFFICE (CIDG-NCRPO), AND MAJOR GENERAL HERMOGENES ESPERON, CHIEF OF STAFF, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209119, October 03, 2018 - PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL TRADING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. THRESHOLD PACIFIC CORPORATION AND EDGAR REY A. CUALES, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 9832, October 03, 2018 - LOLITA R. MARTIN, Complainant, v. ATTY. JESUS M. DELA CRUZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 226199 and 227242-54, October 01, 2018 - ROSITA TUASON MARAVILLA AND CORAZON TUASON* MIRANDA, THROUGH THEIR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, RUBENCITO M. DEL MUNDO, Petitioners, v. MARCELINO BUGARIN, ANGELITA CONTRERAS, BENJAMIN LAZATIN, LOURDES MANIQUIZ, EDELBERTO* PADLAN, REMEDIOS NAVARRO, JOSE PANGAN, EDUVEGES* REYES, ALEXANDER CRUZ, PRISCILLA CORTEZ, MILA LAJA, ANTONIO DAANAY, GENEROSA SISON, PERFECTO DELA VEGA, AND ALL OTHER PERSONS CLAIMING RIGHTS UNDER THEM, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 237703, October 03, 2018 - JOSEPH C. SY, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (THIRD DIVISION) AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 234291, October 03, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JAYSON BOMBIO Y DE VILLA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 236838, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ZACARIAS LESIN* MISA @ "TITING," Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 232496, October 08, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NESTOR ABADILLA Y VERGARA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 233084, October 08, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. VICTOR VELASCO Y PORCIUNCULA, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 209661, October 03, 2018 - AURELIO PADILLO, Petitioner, v. ROLLY VILLANUEVA AND JOSEPH DIOPENES, Respondents.

  • G.R. Nos. 205904-06, October 17, 2018 - GWENDOLYN F. GARCIA, Petitioner, v. HONORABLE SANDIGANBAYAN, AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 214415, October 15, 2018 - IN THE MATTER OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF MIGUELITA C. PACIOLES AND EMMANUEL C. CHING, Petitioner, v. EMILIO B. PACIOLES, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 238829, October 15, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. CONCEPCION SEMBRANO Y CRUZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 12115, October 15, 2018 - ANITA F. ALAG, Complainant, v. ATTY. JUAN C. SENUPE, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224894, October 10, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. WELITO SERAD Y RAVILLES A.K.A. "WACKY", Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 237204, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. SAIDAMEN OLIMPAIN MAMA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 219884, October 17, 2018 - THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MICHAEL A. BELLUDO AND JOHN DOE, Accused.; MICHAEL A. BELLUDO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 233193, October 10, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RENATO BACOLOT Y IDLISAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 231111, October 17, 2018 - CHRISTIAN ALBERT A. CARI�O, Petitioner, v. MAINE MARINE PHILS., INC., MISUGA KAIUN CO. LTD., AND CORAZON GUESE-SONGCUYA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 236540, October 08, 2018 - THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALICIA ALUNEN Y PRITO @ "ALICE" AND ARJAY LAGUELLES Y DONAIRE @ "AIFA", Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 225736, October 15, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALGLEN REYES Y PAULINA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 228267, October 08, 2018 - MARIA NYMPHA MANDAGAN, Petitioner, v. RUFINO DELA CRUZ OF THE SKILLS AND LIVELIHOOD TRAINING CENTER AND DING VILLAREAL OF THE GENERAL SERVICES DIVISION, BOTH OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OF SAN JUAN CITY, METRO MANILA, AND THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 224825, October 17, 2018 - CITY OF CAGAYAN DE ORO, Petitioner, v. CAGAYAN ELECTRIC POWER & LIGHT CO., INC. (CEPALCO), Respondent.

  • A.M. No. 13-8-185-RTC, October 17, 2018 - RE: REPORT ON THE JUDICIAL AUDIT CONDUCTED IN THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 24, CEBU CITY

  • G.R. No. 203923, October 08, 2018 - IONA LERIOU, ELEPTHERIOS L. LONGA, AND STEPHEN L. LONGA, Petitioners, v. YOHANNA FRENESI S. LONGA (MINOR) AND VICTORIA PONCIANA S. LONGA (MINOR), REPRESENTED BY THEIR MOTHER MARY JANE B. STA. CRUZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225624, October 03, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. MARIANITO ARCES, JR., Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 230721, October 15, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MONICA JIMENEZ Y DELGADO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 234190, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. FERDINAND DE GUZMAN Y BUHAY, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 226467, October 17, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. XXX,* Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 197626, October 03, 2018 - RAUL S. IMPERIAL, Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF NEIL BAYABAN, AND MARY LOU BAYABAN, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. HOJ-08-02, October 02, 2018 - AAA, Complainant, v. EDGARDO V. SALAZAR, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE GENERAL FOREMAN HALL OF JUSTICE, xxxxxxxx, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207526, October 03, 2018 - THE INSULAR ASSURANCE CO., LTD., Petitioner, v. THE HEIRS OF JOSE H. ALVAREZ, Respondents.; G.R. No. 210156, October 3, 2018 - UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF JOSE H. ALVAREZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 207926, October 15, 2018 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Petitioner, v. COL. NOEL P. MISLANG, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225753, October 15, 2018 - JOSE PAULO LEGASPI Y NAVERA, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.; G.R. No. 225799, October 15, 2018 - VICTOR DAGANAS Y JANDOC, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208590, October 03, 2018 - SULPICIO LINES, INC. (NOW KNOWN AS PHILIPPINE SPAN ASIA CARRIER CORPORATION), Petitioner, v. MAJOR VICTORIO KARAAN, SPOUSES NAPOLEON LABRAGUE AND HERMINIA LABRAGUE, AND ELY LIVA, Respondents.

  • G.R. Nos. 201398-99, October 03, 2018 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. AVON PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING, INC., Respondent.; G.R. Nos. 201418-19, October 3, 2018 - AVON PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING, INC., Petitioner, v. THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210088, October 01, 2018 - ELLEN T. TORDESILLAS, CHARMAINE DEOGRACIAS, ASHZEL HACHERO, JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ, MELINDA QUINTOS DE JESUS, VERGEL O. SANTOS, YVONNE TAN CHUA, BOOMA B. CRUZ, ED LINGAO, ROBY ALAMPAY, JESSICA SOHO, MARIA JUDEA PULIDO, MICHAEL FAJATIN, CONNIE SISON, RAWNNA CRISOSTOMO, J.P. SORIANO, GENA BALAORO, MICHELLE SEVA, LEILANI ALVIS, DANILO ARAO, LETICIA Z. BONIOL, ROWENA C. PARAAN, IRIS C. GONZALES, MA. CRISTINA V. RODRIGUEZ, MARLON RAMOS, LEAH FLOR, MANOLITO C. GAYA, EREL A. CABATBAT, VINCENT CRISTOBAL, JESUS D. RAMOS, MICHAEL C. CARREON, ED DE GUZMAN, MA. AURORA REYES FAJARDO, ELIZABETH JUDITH C. PANELO, ANGEL AYALA, NILO H. BACULO, SR., THE CENTER FOR MEDIA FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY (CMFR), REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MELINDA QUINTOS DE JESUS; THE NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (NUJP), REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY GENERAL ROWENA PARAAN; THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM (PCIJ) REPRESENTED BY ITS CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF EDITORS, MARIA LOURDES C. MANGAHAS; AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE (PPI) REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARIEL SEBELLINO, Petitioners, v. HON. RONALDO PUNO, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HON. RAUL M. GONZALES, SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, HON. GILBERTO C. TEODORO, JR., SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, DIRECTOR GENERAL AVELINO RAZON, JR., CHIEF OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, DIRECTOR GEARY BARIAS, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION POLICE OFFICE (NCRPO), CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT LUIZO TICMAN, CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT LEOCADIO SANTIAGO, JR., PNP SPECIAL ACTION FORCE (SAF) DIRECTOR, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT ASHER DOLINA, CHIEF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND DETECTION GROUP� NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION OFFICE (CIDG-NCRPO), AND MAJOR GENERAL HERMOGENES ESPERON, CHIEF OF STAFF, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209119, October 03, 2018 - PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL TRADING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. THRESHOLD PACIFIC CORPORATION AND EDGAR REY A. CUALES, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 9832, October 03, 2018 - LOLITA R. MARTIN, Complainant, v. ATTY. JESUS M. DELA CRUZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 226199 and 227242-54, October 01, 2018 - ROSITA TUASON MARAVILLA AND CORAZON TUASON* MIRANDA, THROUGH THEIR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, RUBENCITO M. DEL MUNDO, Petitioners, v. MARCELINO BUGARIN, ANGELITA CONTRERAS, BENJAMIN LAZATIN, LOURDES MANIQUIZ, EDELBERTO* PADLAN, REMEDIOS NAVARRO, JOSE PANGAN, EDUVEGES* REYES, ALEXANDER CRUZ, PRISCILLA CORTEZ, MILA LAJA, ANTONIO DAANAY, GENEROSA SISON, PERFECTO DELA VEGA, AND ALL OTHER PERSONS CLAIMING RIGHTS UNDER THEM, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 237703, October 03, 2018 - JOSEPH C. SY, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (THIRD DIVISION) AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 234291, October 03, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JAYSON BOMBIO Y DE VILLA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 236838, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ZACARIAS LESIN* MISA @ "TITING," Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 232496, October 08, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NESTOR ABADILLA Y VERGARA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 233084, October 08, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. VICTOR VELASCO Y PORCIUNCULA, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 209661, October 03, 2018 - AURELIO PADILLO, Petitioner, v. ROLLY VILLANUEVA AND JOSEPH DIOPENES, Respondents.

  • G.R. Nos. 205904-06, October 17, 2018 - GWENDOLYN F. GARCIA, Petitioner, v. HONORABLE SANDIGANBAYAN, AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 214415, October 15, 2018 - IN THE MATTER OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF MIGUELITA C. PACIOLES AND EMMANUEL C. CHING, Petitioner, v. EMILIO B. PACIOLES, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 238829, October 15, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. CONCEPCION SEMBRANO Y CRUZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 12115, October 15, 2018 - ANITA F. ALAG, Complainant, v. ATTY. JUAN C. SENUPE, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224894, October 10, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. WELITO SERAD Y RAVILLES A.K.A. "WACKY", Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 237204, October 01, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. SAIDAMEN OLIMPAIN MAMA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 219884, October 17, 2018 - THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MICHAEL A. BELLUDO AND JOHN DOE, Accused.; MICHAEL A. BELLUDO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 233193, October 10, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RENATO BACOLOT Y IDLISAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 231111, October 17, 2018 - CHRISTIAN ALBERT A. CARI�O, Petitioner, v. MAINE MARINE PHILS., INC., MISUGA KAIUN CO. LTD., AND CORAZON GUESE-SONGCUYA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 236540, October 08, 2018 - THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALICIA ALUNEN Y PRITO @ "ALICE" AND ARJAY LAGUELLES Y DONAIRE @ "AIFA", Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 225736, October 15, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALGLEN REYES Y PAULINA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 228267, October 08, 2018 - MARIA NYMPHA MANDAGAN, Petitioner, v. RUFINO DELA CRUZ OF THE SKILLS AND LIVELIHOOD TRAINING CENTER AND DING VILLAREAL OF THE GENERAL SERVICES DIVISION, BOTH OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OF SAN JUAN CITY, METRO MANILA, AND THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 224825, October 17, 2018 - CITY OF CAGAYAN DE ORO, Petitioner, v. CAGAYAN ELECTRIC POWER & LIGHT CO., INC. (CEPALCO), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 237352, October 15, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARICAR ISLA Y UMALI, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 12146 (Formerly CBD Case No. 13-4040), October 10, 2018 - CARLOS V. LOPEZ, Complainant, v. ATTY. MILAGROS ISABEL A. CRISTOBAL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 194126, October 17, 2018 - INDUSTRIAL PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC., Petitioner, v. COUNTRY BANKERS INSURANCE CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218702, October 17, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PATRICK JOHN MERCADO Y ANTICLA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 199654, October 03, 2018 - ISIDRO A. BAUTISTA, Petitioner, v. TERESITA M. YUJUICO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 226045, October 10, 2018 - ALBERTO GRANTON, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208956, October 17, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF ELIGIO CRUZ, REPRESENTED BY CRISANTA OLIQUINO, AND HEIRS OF ELIGIO CRUZ, REPRESENTED BY MAXIMINO AGALABIA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 222678, October 17, 2018 - JOANNE KRISTINE G. PIMENTEL, Petitioner, v. REYNALDO ADIAO, CRISTY ADIAO-NIERVES AND CHRISTIAN ADIAO, Respondents. R E S O L U T I O N

  • G.R. No. 217336, October 17, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. SPS. ILDEFONSO ALEJANDRE AND ZENAIDA FERRER ALEJANDRE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 222886, October 17, 2018 - HONORABLE LEILA M. DE LIMA, IN HER CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, Petitioner, v. CITY OF MANILA, REPRESENTED BY MAYOR JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-18-2536 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 15-4396-RTJ), October 10, 2018 - GOV. EDGARDO A. TALLADO, Complainant, v. HON. WINSTON S. RACOMA, PRESIDING JUDGE, BRANCH 39, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT (RTC), DAET, CAMARINES NORTE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198237, October 08, 2018 - BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Petitioner, v. LAND INVESTORS AND DEVELOPERS CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 236297, October 17, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ARMANDO BAGABAY Y MACARAEG, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 219491 - STEPHEN Y. KU, PETITIONER, v. RCBC SECURITIES, INC., RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 185622 - INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TERMINAL SERVICES, INC., PETITIONER, v. THE CITY OF MANILA; LIBERTY M. TOLEDO, IN HER CAPACITY AS TREASURER OF MANILA; GABRIEL ESPINO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS RESIDENT AUDITOR OF MANILA; AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF MANILA, RESPONDENTS.